Radiation Detection for National Security Applications
The Office of Nonproliferation Research and Development funds applied research and development, testing, and demonstration of advanced technologies that improve the national capability to both detect illicit nuclear weapons programs and nuclear detonations world-wide. The capabilities provided by this office strengthen the U.S. response to current and projected threats to national security posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the diversion of special nuclear material (SNM), and is the only organization within the U.S. government that is investing in long-term, strategic, and often high-risk technical solutions to detect the proliferation of WMD.
As an integral component of the office's mission, the SNM Movement Detection program focuses on the detection, localization, identification, and characterization of SNM in many forms and scenarios. It is the purpose of this program to develop improved capabilities that assist the operational USG organizations to perform their nonproliferation, counter-proliferation, and counter-terrorism missions. The preponderance of technical solution in this area involves higher performing radiation detection equipment including the development of new radiation detection materials. In this seminar, I will discuss current development efforts and areas of programmatic interest in radiation sensing and advanced materials research for radiation detection.
NNSA/PNL Nonproliferation Graduate Program (PPT, 1 MB)
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Tales from the Sausage Factory: How the Federal Government Gets a Budget
The stakes are high, the players are numerous, the schedule is ridiculous, and the whole effort has produced next to nothing for the past few years. Federal budgeting, the domain of the White House, the executive branch agencies, the Congress, the lobbyists, and the taxpayers, is often compared to sausage making.
Why do some things that have a tiny constituency get funded year after year, while "presidential initiatives" frequently die in infancy? If the Federal research dollars at your university aren't what they need to be, does it help to talk to OMB? What is the difference between appropriators and authorizers anyway? This talk explores how the whole enterprise is supposed to work, how come it's not working, and why knowing about all of it matters.
Full Presentation (PPT, 1 MB)
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The Future of Nuclear Power: Renewal or Re-run?
For the first time in decades, companies have applied for
permits to build and operate nuclear power reactors in the United States.
Whether this portends a revival of nuclear power in America or a re-run
depends on how well lessons from the past are handled. For example, many
design errors were not identified until many years, sometimes decades, of
reactor operation and features in reactor designs make them unnecessarily
vulnerable to sabotage. Solutions accompanied these lessons, but are
largely being ignored as the nuclear industry and its regulator seem
destined to repeat another lesson — focusing on schedules at the expense
of quality. Santayana said "Those who do not learn from history are doomed
to repeat it." He can say that again.
Full Presentation (PPT, 2 MB)
UCS report "Nuclear Power in a Warming World" (External Link)
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INL — the Nation's National Nuclear Laboratory
In 2005, the Department of Energy established the Idaho National Laboratory in southeastern Idaho as a center for nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration and selected Battelle Energy Alliance to manage the transformation of the lab to national nuclear laboratory. Dr. David Hill, INL Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology will provide an overview of the laboratory's nuclear energy programs, including its technical leadership of DOE's flagship programs, the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership and the Next Generation Nuclear Plant.
Dr. Hill will provide his perspective on how investment in research capabilities and collaboration with universities, industry, and other research institutions are delivering nuclear science and technology for the nation. He will also discuss INL's nuclear engineering education initiatives, including opportunities for collaborative R&D and opportunities for internships, graduate fellowships, and joint appointments.
Full Presentation (PPT, 36 MB)
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Challenges of Engineering and Constructing the Next Generation of Nuclear Plants
The nuclear industry is experiencing the initial waves of activity suggesting the execution of contracts to provide additional electric generation from nuclear energy. The challenges of making this potential rebirth a reality are the cause of growing concern about our ability in the US to provide the technology in a timely, cost competitive and competent manner. This seminar provides a glimpse of the engineering and construction challenges and how they have been overcome in the Japan market.
To begin, the seminar will provide some perspective by describing the environment in which the current US fleet was engineered and constructed. Then the experiences and state of engineering and construction in Japan will be relayed by presenting the approach used for Shika 2, an ABWR that went on line in 2006. The evolution of the design and construction practices in Japan is instructive in understanding where we need to be in the US.
Full Presentation (PPT, 14 MB)
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Engineering Challenges in U.S. Nuclear Reactor Safety
Mr. Grobe will discuss recent trends and technical issues related to nuclear power plants in the U.S., including fleet performance, safety culture, case studies of materials and equipment degradation, and the introduction of digital instrumentation and controls. He will also give an overview of NRC educational initiatives.
Full Presentation (PPT, 18 MB)
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New Reactor Applications at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Full Presentation (PPT, 9 MB)
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The Resurgence of Nuclear Power
The presentation will focus on nuclear power in the United
States today and the opportunities and challenges for nuclear power
tomorrow. Electricity generation using nuclear power is currently the
only proven, non-emitting technology deployed or deployable on a large
scale to provide baseload electricity, 24 hours a day and seven days a
week. If the United States is to be environmentally responsible and
produce the baseload electricity required to drive modern economic
growth, nuclear power is an indispensable part of the future energy
portfolio of the country and the world.
Full Presentation (PPT, 2 MB)
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Forecasting the Future Growth of Nuclear Energy Demand
Full Presentation (PDF, 2 MB)
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The Nuclear Renaissance Is Here!
Hear from the company that started commercial nuclear power.
Take a peek at the next generation of reactors.
Explore current technologies in core design and fuel.
Full Presentation (PPT, 18 MB)
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The U.S. Energy Crisis and the Role of New Nuclear Plants
An analysis of the U.S. electricity generation industry and the issues associated with the substantial electricity price increases anticipated in the next five years.
An analysis of new generation alternatives (coal, gas, renewable, and nuclear) and their impact on the environment and future electricity prices.
A review of the industry demand for new employees and career development opportunities.
Full Presentation (PPT, 7 MB)
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Neutron Imaging Methods as Advanced Tools in Material Research and Non-Destructive Testing
Neutron radiography methods have been in use similarly to X-ray techniques since the availability of suitable neutron sources. First such tests were done with film methods about half a century ago. Neutron radiography found applications in material testing, inspection of explosives, nuclear fuel and several other industrial related requests. Since the introduction of modern digital methods into neutron imaging a new era has opened up. The new systems are much more sensitive than film can be, have broader dynamic range and enable time sequences. Due to the digital format of the results, new methods like tomography or phase enhancement can be exploited. A quantification of the samples content becomes possible due to the linearity of most of the detector systems.
Similarly to the detector improvement, specifically designed neutron imaging beam lines are required to obtain optimal results. This holds for spatial resolution, where the beam collimation plays an important role and for the spectral distribution of the neutrons, defining the sensitivity for detection. Most of the imaging beam lines are operating with thermal neutrons, but there is the trend towards cold neutrons which deliver some advantages, in particular for energy-selective neutron imaging.
The neutron source in use for neutron research in Switzerland is based on the spallation process, where 590 MeV protons are send to a lead target, yielding in about 10 fast neutrons per spallation act. Indeed, this source called SINQ is presently the world strongest spallation source with about 1 MW power. Two of the beam ports are in use for neutron imaging purposes, NEUTRA with thermal neutrons and ICON with cold neutrons. It depends on the particular problem and setup, which one is most suitable for the investigations.
The Neutron Imaging & Activation Group operates these facilities for a research community consisting of e.g. soil physicists, geoscientists, experts in electro-chemistry, nuclear engineers, paleontologists and archaeologists. This user service takes about 1/3 of the beam time available. Further users are from industry. Some part of the beam time is spend for methodical improvements, based on PhD works (quantification, phase-contrast imaging, wood science, neutron optics).
The talk will give an overview about running activities at PSI in respect to the neutron imaging methods and their improvements. Some examples from recent studies will demonstrate the importance of the method and its potential for further dedicated investigations, both in nuclear and conventional applications.
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Reactor Physics at MIT: A Personal Story
Full Presentation (PPT, 3 MB)
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Recent Developments in the NRC Office of New Reactors
Full Presentation (PPT, 10 MB)
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Lecture on Applications of the Monte Carlo Adjoint Shielding Methodology
Full Presentation (PPT, 3 MB)
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Materials Engineering Issues Associated
with the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP)
The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) is a helium gas cooled reactor designed to deliver process heat with an outlet temperature of 900°C or higher. A commercial scale demonstration plant is currently envisioned to operate by 2020. While there are a number of materials science issues arising from conditions imposed by the reactor design, the majority of the NGNP materials program is dictated by engineering issues.
This seminar will highlight specific materials engineering questions that must be addressed for the pressure
vessel, heat exchanger and reactor internals. For each of these critical components of the reactor system the compromises that must
be made between material properties, adequacy of inclusion in applicable design codes, fabricability, cost, and schedule constraints
will be discussed. The critical role of cooperation between design and materials engineers will be highlighted by examples of recent
experience with similar reactor systems.
Full Presentation (PPT, 17 MB)
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Recent Developments in Electricity Markets
that Affect New Build Decisions for Nuclear
As the industry enters in to another business cycle of power plant building the context and methods for decision making have changed.
This talk will discuss these changes and their implications for power plant new builds in the coming years.
Full Presentation (PPS, 3 MB)
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An Update on Yucca Mountain
A discussion of the Yucca Mountain repository as well as the state of the nuclear industry.
Full Presentation (PPT, 14 MB)
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Engineering National Security
Pre-eminence in Science & Technology is a national security advantage, both for military and economic power, it drives innovation and competition in a globalized world, and is the building block of our economic leadership. Recent statistics reflect a steady erosion of America’s scientific and technical base. We lack the number of students in science and engineering disciplines to replenish our retiring and diminishing workforce. In 2004, China graduated over 600,000 engineers; India; 350,000; and America; about 70,000. In 2003 only three American companies ranked in the top 10 recipients of patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Due to global and domestic energy demands and threats to foreign provided resources there is a resurgence of the commercial nuclear
industry. Roughly 20% of the nation’s electricity is nuclear-based and the demand for electricity is expected to grow by over 40
percent over the next years. Nine generating companies are preparing license applications for construction of new plants. Job
projections are that 40,000 construction jobs and 10,000 high end plant operation jobs will be created. There will always be a
demand for high technical standards and engineering competence, a grounding in the fundamentals of mathematics and science is critical,
and the Nation and the Navy needs the best engineers and scientists.
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The Challenges of Plasma-Surface Interactions in Magnetic Fusion
Plasma-Surface Interactions (PSI) pose numerous problems for magnetic confinement fusion power reactors. One
example is the requirement for the materials to be sufficiently robust to plasma-induced erosion; the material
surface must last longer than one year of reactor operations, but with local heat loading similar to those
experienced at the surface of the sun, all while being constantly damaged by high energy neutrons. PSI science
is both a challenging and exciting research topic, since the solutions require knowledge of nearly every aspect
of plasma and materials sciences, and the complex coupling between the two in a fusion device. I will present
some of the challenges and possible solutions to PSI problems, with a particular emphasis on the upcoming
international ITER tokamak research project.
Full Presentation (PPT, 6.5 MB)
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The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)
The United States "will build the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership to work with other nations to develop and
deploy advanced nuclear recycling and reactor technologies. This initiative will help provide reliable,
emission-free energy with less of the waste burden of older technologies and without making available separated
plutonium that could be used by rogue states or terrorists for nuclear weapons. These new technologies will make
possible a dramatic expansion of safe, clean nuclear energy to help meet the growing global energy demand."
Full Presentation (PPT, 3 MB)
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Use of Bayesian Techniques for Safety Analysis of the Mars Science Laboratory
The NASA “Outer Space Program” is the portion of NASA’s program that deals with exploring space beyond the moon. Obviously, at this time, these are all unmanned missions. The Mars Rovers all fit into this program. Both of the rovers currently on Mars – Spirit and Opportunity – are solar-powered.
This poses two problems. First, the rovers can’t move far beyond the equator due to the lack of sunlight available at the more extreme latitudes. Secondly, it is currently impossible to power the tools needed to adequately explore the surface without making the rover prohibitively large. Therefore, NASA chose to power the next mission – the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) – with a Multi-mission Radio-isotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). Due to the fact that the power source is nuclear, DOE requires that a full safety analysis be performed which will assess the risk associated with the launch. Sandia National Laboratories has obtained the contract to produce the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) for the project. Our approach is to apply Bayesian techniques coupled with Quasi-Monte Carlo sampling in order to characterize the risks associated with the launch.
Approximately 20 minutes will be budgeted for an overview of the MSL project and 20 minutes will be budgeted for an
explanation of the approach to characterizing uncertainty. The rest of the time will be reserved to answer questions
either during the presentation or after.
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A Strategic Analysis of the Investment Opportunity for Advanced Nuclear Generation
J. Turnage
Description of Constellation Energy's path to successful deployment of new nuclear power plants using a risk-managed approach.
Full Presentation (PDF, 1 MB)
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Used Nuclear Fuel-- What Will We Do With It?
A sustainable long term solution to managing used nuclear fuel is needed in the face of a worldwide expansion of CO2-free nuclear power.
Full Presentation (PPT, 2.3 MB)
BCG Report on the Economics of Fuel Recycling (External Link)
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The Probability Table Method for Treating Unresolved Resonances
in Monte Carlo Transport
In the unresolved resonance energy range (URR), cross section resonances are so narrow
and closely spaced that they cannot be experimentally resolved. Statistical properties of
the resonances, such as the distributions of their widths and spacings, can however be
estimated from theory and experiment. The use of smeared average cross sections in the
URR can lead to substantial errors for some problems since resonance self-shielding is
not accounted for. The probability table method employs the same statistical properties
used to compute the average cross section to compute a distribution of cross section
values - the probability table. These are then used in Monte Carlo calculations to
randomly sample URR cross section values for each neutron history. The method has
been shown to capture the desired resonance self-shielding effects. In the talk, Dr. Sutton
will discuss how the tables are generated and how they are used in Monte Carlo
calculations. Results will also be shown demonstrating the effect of the use of the
method.
Introductory Presentation (PPT, 25 MB)
Main Presentation (PPT, 2.1 MB)
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Nuclear Applications in the Oil Industry
Oil-Field Service companies, like Schlumberger, provide services to oil companies to help them identify and efficiently produce oil from their wells. As a service company, we provide many things to our clients, the most important being information. A large part of our business is supplying petrophysical information for an oil-well including many parameters such as: porosity of the rock, type or rock, permeability of rock, type of fluids present, characteristic of fluids, etc. To accomplish this, we utilize any physical measurement that may give us information concerning these parameters of interest; for example, electromagnetic, sonic, ultrasonic, nuclear magnetic resonance, and nuclear measurements. This talk will give a background of the nuclear technology that has been developed for the oil industry and how it is applied.
There is quite an impressive list of nuclear technology that has been developed for the oil
industry including neutron generators, linear accelerators, scintillators (LSO was invented
by Schlumberger), and signal processing. The fact that these technologies need to
operate at 150 to 175ºC and at 20 to 30 kpsi while being no larger than 1-3 inches in
diameter adds extra challenges to the technology. In addition, the borehole geometry in
which the measurements must be performed complicates getting reliable information as
does the fact that we have to provide useful information with only several seconds of data
accumulation.
Full Presentation (PPT, 37 MB)
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Proliferation Apsects of Plutonium Production in Nuclear Reactors
Recently heightened interest in security matters has engendered public anxiety about the threat posed by nuclear proliferation, the global spread of knowledge and materials for building nuclear weapons. Owing to the presence of counter-proliferation measures in today’s reactors, civilian nuclear power in the U.S. has never been successfully exploited for the illicit development of weapons. If this successful track record is to continue, the forthcoming generation of nuclear scientists and engineers will need a sound understanding of proliferation issues. This knowledge will enable them to manage future risks and establish proliferation-resistant paradigms to support the growing prevalence of nuclear technologies.
One major nuclear industry proliferation concern is the production of plutonium, a
desirable energy source for nuclear devices, as a byproduct of the consumption of nuclear
fuel in commercial reactors. This talk compares and contrasts the plutonium produced
through “normal” reactor operation with the plutonium preferred for use in weapons.
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Materials Issues in High Power Accelerators and
Comparisons to Fission and Fusion Reactors
High power accelerators present a challenging array of issues for materials scientists and nuclear engineers.
Some materials considerations are unique to accelerators per se, or even to a particular accelerator. Others
depend on the materials response to the irradiation environment and can be similar to those for fission or fusion
reactors. In particular, spallation neutron sources impinge a proton beam with energy of order GeV onto a high
atomic number target to produce nuclear spallation reactions. For example, the high displacement doses in the
target structures of spallation neutron sources, produced by the impinging proton beam and by the spallation
neutrons, are of similar magnitude to those in high flux reactor cores and the first walls of future fusion
reactors. Advanced materials are required to have superior performance under high levels of displacement damage
and (for spallation targets and fusion reactors) high levels of transmutation gas production, while maintaining
satisfactory mechanical and physical properties.
Full Presentation (PPT, 25 MB)
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Neutron Interferometry and Quantum Information Processing
Quantum information processing promises that if we learn how to coherently manipulate complex quantum systems then
we can efficiently accomplish certain computational tasks that are inaccessible in the classical world. Fortunately
there are available physical systems where high fidelity coherent control is routine. We will discuss two of these:
nuclear magnetic resonance and neutron interferometry. We will show how quantum information processing provides new
and valuable insight into the physics and applications of these familiar methods.
Full Presentation (PPT, 5 MB)
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Going Beyond UO2 Fuel
Despite decades of innovative research and development, UO2 remains the dominant fuel matrix, and UO2 (and MOX) pellets
comprise the vast majority of fuel for power reactors. It is instructive to examine factors that have restricted the
deployment of more "advanced" fuel forms. Key drivers for considering advanced fuels include the desire for higher
burnup, better thermal performance/safety margins, and actinide burning/transmutation. Fuels that help achieve a more
proliferation-resistant fuel cycle are also being sought. Key constraints that tend to limit the deployment of new
fuels include entry-point economics, mature manufacturing metrics, regulatory inertia and additional market factors.
In some instances "recyclability" is also a key factor. All of these factors act to force the proponent of a new fuel
to marshal a compelling case for the investments leading to industrial deployment. The speaker will draw from experience
in various fuel R&D programs to highlight these issues and to suggest ways in which the drivers for new fuels can overcome
the constraints that hinder industrial deployment.
Full Presentation (PDF, 2 MB)
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U.S. New Nuclear Plant Build Initiative: AREVA, UniStar Nuclear, and the U.S. EPR
This talk will provide a brief overview of the factors contributing to the current positive environment for new nuclear plant
construction in the U.S. and renewed enthusiasm shown by the U.S. nuclear industry. The main focus of the lecture will be on
the features of the U.S. EPR, the advanced reactor design being offered by AREVA in the U.S and the only Gen. III+ reactor design
currently under construction (Finland's Olkiluoto-3). The lecture will also cover UniStar Nuclear, the joint venture between
AREVA and Constellation Energy created to license, construct, own and operate a standardized fleet of U.S. EPR nuclear plants
in North America.
Full Presentation (PDF, 3 MB)
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U.S. New Nuclear Plant Initiative: Westinghouse, and the AP 1000
Full Presentation (PPT, 9 MB)
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An Update on the DOE Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) Fuel Development and Qualification Program
The Department of Energy has selected the Very High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor System (VHTR), for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Project, a project to demonstrate emissions-free nuclear-assisted electricity and hydrogen production. The NGNP reference concept will be a helium-cooled, graphite moderated, thermal neutron spectrum reactor with a design goal outlet temperature of 900-1000°C and a thermal power of about 600 MW. The reactor core could be either a prismatic graphite block type core or a pebble bed core. The fuel cycle will be a once-through very high burnup low-enriched uranium fuel cycle.
The DOE has established the Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Development and Qualification Program to address fuel concerns associated with
this design. This program will undertake fuel manufacture as well as safety and performance modeling. An overview of the program
and recent progress will be presented.
Full Presentation (PPT, 15 MB)
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The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership and the Future of Nuclear Power
The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) was announced this February by the United States government. In the words of President Bush: "....my Administration has announced a bold new proposal called the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. Under this partnership, America will work with nations that have advanced civilian nuclear energy programs, such as France, Japan and Russia. Together, we will develop and deploy innovative, advanced reactors and new methods to recycle spent nuclear fuel. This will allow us to produce more energy, while dramatically reducing the amount of nuclear waste and eliminating the nuclear byproducts that unstab innovative, advanced reactors and new methods to recycle spent nuclear fuel. This will allow us to produce more energy, while dramatically reducing the amount of nuclear waste and eliminating the nuclear byproducts that unstable regimes or terrorists could use to make weapons."
Dr. Reis will describe the goals and proposed strategy and implementation plans for GNEP, and compare it to the MIT report The Future
of Nuclear Power.
Full Presentation (PPT, 6 MB)
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Development of Innovative Technology for the Separation of Waste Constitutes Using Plasma Based Techniques
From the time of its founding in 1998 Archimedes' primary corporate mission has been the development of a breakthrough separations technology for treatment of high level waste from nuclear weapons production.
A new invention, called the "Archimedes Filter," promises to reduce the required number of HLW canisters at Hanford
by up to 85%.
Full Presentation (PPT, 20 MB)
Plasma Animation (MPG, 500 KB)
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The Future of GE Nuclear
The "New GE" and the future of GE's nuclear energy operations.
Full Presentation (PPT, 24 MB)
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